Best Formula For Gassy Babies Of 2018

When you have a gassy baby, finding a formula that relieves their symptoms is crucial. Not only so they can find rest, but so their parents can as well. Finding the best formula for gassy babies may take some tries, but knowing what to look for may help you find a solution faster.

​When trying to solve a problem, it is always best to figure out what is causing it in the first place. This can be especially tricky though in newborns and infants who are not able to communicate with us directly about what they are experiencing. All tired parents have to go by is how happy their baby seems to be. Crying, fussiness and excessive gassiness are all signs that something is awry.

What causes gassiness in babies?​

Gassiness, colicky behavior, and constipation are all signs that something is not right in their digestive track. The best way to find a solution is through a process of elimination.​

In some circumstances, a baby swallowing too much air causes gassiness. This can happen when their feeding cues are not responded to promptly, and they are crying. It can also occur when using certain bottles for feeding. Sometimes the solution is as simple as switching to a different type of nipple or bottle.​

However, for most babies, gassiness is a digestion issue. Figuring out what is causing that problem usually happens through trial and error.​

Does an elimination diet work?​

If a mom is breastfeeding, the first thing many will consider is her diet. Certain foods are believed to cause gassiness in babies. The conventional wisdom is that if a portion of food can make momma gassy, it will make her breastfed infant gassy.

Moms can begin by eliminating those foods from their diet. Certain raw vegetables, like broccoli, onions, and cabbage are common culprits. However, dairy products and caffeine can also cause breastfed babies to experience gas. This may be due to food sensitivities or allergies.

It will not be possible to know for sure until they are old enough to either outgrow the situation or be allergy tested. If dairy is suspected, it can take a few weeks for all of the dairy to leave the mother’s system. Hidden dairy is something moms will need to watch out for as well, especially in baked goods.​

If a mom has gone to all the trouble to eliminate these foods from her diet and the gassiness still exists, and the baby is inconsolable, it may be time to consider supplementing with formula. Once a mother’s milk supply is well established, and she is comfortable with a pump, giving the baby a bottle of special formula to ease gassiness once a day should not be a problem.​

What if a formula fed baby is gassy?

​Even if a baby is a formula fed from the beginning, gassiness may still be an issue. Remember, it is all about digestion, and not all formulas are created equal. While you first baby may have been finding a certain store brand, your next baby is a unique human being who may need something more specialized to feel comfortable in between feedings.

​Here are a few things to consider when choosing a new formula.

​- Is it designed for gassy babies? You may not need a special formula just for gassy babies. Sometimes just switching brands may work. This is a less expensive option if you are not yet sure what the underlying issues are.

​- How expensive is it? Most specialty formulas cost more than regular or store brand ones. There may be some programs to help supplement the cost if you talk to the manufacturer or your doctor.

​- What makes the special formula special? The size of the proteins, whether or not it is organic, and any unique or proprietary ingredients can all make it different enough for the manufacturer to offer under a different label.

​There are not that many different formulas designed especially for gassy babies. However, we found five that stand out more than the rest.

1. Gerber Good Start Soothe Non-GMO Powder Infant Formula​

Gerber is one of the most recognizable names in baby products. Building on the consumer trust they have acquired, they offer this Soothe formula for babies who are gassier than is typical. They recommend this particular formula for use from birth to twelve months old.

This formula is not the same as the Gerber Good Start Gentle, which also includes a probiotic. Soothe has special “Comfort Proteins” also, which are smaller than normal milk proteins. This makes it easier for babies to digest it, which also makes it a popular choice among breastfeeding moms who need to supplement with formula.

According to Gerber, they included the “Exclusive probiotic L. reuteri, [which] has been clinically shown to reduce crying time by 50% in colicky breastfed infants.” The research did not analyze crying time reductions about other formulas though so parents should keep their expectations in check until they have had a chance to try this with their baby.

What We Liked

It is made with non-genetically modified ingredients.

Gerber includes probiotics which help colicky babies settle.

The proprietary “Comfort Proteins: make it easier for young babies to digest.

What We Didn't Like

This formula clumps more than others and is extra hard to dissolve.

It may change the color of bowel movements.

Parents can supplement with over the counter probiotics instead of choosing a formula that already has them.

2. Earth's Best Organic Sensitivity Infant Formula with Iron

​This is the first formula for fussy babies ever approved as organic by the FDA. Earth’s Best reputation for providing quality, organic baby products led them to reach out to parents of gassy babies and find a solution that met their needs, while maintaining their same quality of organic products.

This formula may help some gassy babies because it has reduced lactose. In fact, it has 95 percent less lactose than standard, milk-based formulas. Parents often attribute gassiness and fussiness to allergies or sensitivities, so that may explain why this formula works so well for some babies.​

For parents concerned about using this formula to replace breastfeeding, Earth’s Best included DHA and AHA, which we naturally find in human breast milk. Earth’s Best sources their DHA from algae, which is common for infant formulas. Some children will have adverse reactions to this form of DHA.​

What We Liked

Like all Earth’s Best products, this one is organic and made with non-genetically modified ingredients.

What We Didn't Like

3. Enfamil Gentlease Baby Formula

Gentlease is one of many Enfamil formulas available to parents. This particular formula is different from the others because the milk proteins are already partially broken down.

As a result, infants find this easier to digest. Clinical research demonstrated that the gas-reducing effects of Gentlease could last up to 24 hours. Parents are relieved to see the reduction in crying and discomfort that comes with switching to this formula.​

Among pediatricians who recommend a specific brand of formula, this one is at the top. It has an important metric that may represent good marketing on behalf of Enfamil or the genuine clinical observations of pediatricians that this brand out performs other brands.

What We Liked

Gentlease’s special formulation may also help babies with acid reflux.

The partially broken down proteins ease digestive issues.

Once your baby adjusts to this formula, the positive effects can last for up to 24 hours.

What We Didn't Like

​4. Enfamil Reguline

Reguline is Enfamil’s response to parent’s request for a formula that reduces constipation without causing gassiness or diarrhea. Sometimes it is hard to balance the two extremes. With Reguline, parents may have found their balance.

While it Enfamil advertises it as a full-time formula, meaning you can choose to use to around the clock, some families have found it works best when used to replace one or two regular bottle feedings.​

When switching to Reguline, it may take a full seven days to realize completely the effect it is going to have on your baby. This is to be expected, though some families have reported seeing results much earlier into the week. Gassiness can happen even in constipated babies by helping move things along, and this formula can relieve that gassiness as well.​

What We Liked

This formula includes a prebiotic blend, which helps your baby form soft stools.

A thicker formula, it helps babies who suffer from acid reflux.

Parents can buy this in pre-mixed bottles as well as powder form.

What We Didn't Like

Some babies will need up to a week to adjust to the prebiotics in this formula before seeing results.

​5. Enfamil Enspire Powdered Baby Formula

At some point, parents become willing to spend any amount of money to provide their baby relief from constipation, gassiness, crying, and general fussiness.

That brings us to this final formula, also from Enfamil. Many mothers choose Enspire because they advertise it as being Enfamil’s “closest to breastmilk” formula. Like Reguline, Enspire also includes prebiotics to ease constipation.​

It includes two key components that research shows have only been found in breast milk – lactoferrin and MFGM. Lactoferrin is found in both colostrum and more mature milk. MFGM is included because research shows that its presence represented part of the difference in achievement gaps between breastfed and formula fed babies.​

The reason this formula is on a list of best formulas for gassy babies is that it is more like breast milk than any other formula Enfamil offers. In a typical baby, breastmilk will not cause gassiness. Therefore, it makes sense that using a formula most like breast milk will produce similar results.​

What We Liked

This is Enfamil’s “closest to breastmilk” formula.

Enfamil uses non-genetically modified ingredients to make it.

Many babies can switch between this formula and breastmilk more easily than other formulas.

What We Didn't Like

Benefits of MFGM may be lessened once the baby begins eating solid foods.

Enspire is significantly more expensive than the majority of formulas available.

While the ingredients are not genetically modified, there is no evidence that the cows which produce the milk are also fed a non-genetically modified diet.

​Conclusion

It is often tempting to try and choose the lowest cost option first. There is nothing wrong with this approach. However, sometimes you do get what you pay for. For that reason, we recommend the Enfamil Enspire because it is most like breastmilk. Mothers can help their infants receive the many benefits of breastmilk and avoid the strict dietary guidelines that may be necessary for an elimination diet.​

Enspire seems to take what is best from the other formulas. It has the prebiotics like Regulin. It is sweeter tasting than Gentlease, which means Enspire tastes more like breastmilk. Enfamil’s Enspire is also made with non-genetically modified ingredients like Earth’s Best and Gerber’s Soothe, which are at the beginning of this list.​

Enfamil wants to help moms maintain their nursing relationship as long as possible. However, they also recognize that sometimes it must end sooner than planned, or maybe it was never possible. The most important thing is that a baby is nourished and well loved.​

When you reach that point, it is important that you choose the best formula for gassy babies. The sooner you can settle on the right choice for your baby, the sooner you can concentrate on snuggling them and watching them grow up as healthy, happy kids.​

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